Impact of leadership vis-à-vis technology extension and livelihood: A case study from Purba Bardhaman district of West Bengal

The modus operandi of the KVKs for effective technology spread across the district is to develop leaders or master trainer who, in turn, would build the capacity of his fellow farmers through various extension means like training, demonstrations, on farm trials, group meetings, informal discussions, etc. The rationale behind this is that technology is always better spread from farmer to farmer than extension functionaries to farmers. KVK Purba Bardhaman has developed about 74 such farmers since 2011–12 who are educated and can lead others in the fields of crop production and allied enterprises. The present paper deals with output and outcome of 15 of those 74 farmers who have stamped their authority in so far as leadership is concerned. Twelve out of the 15 are male in the blocks of Purbasthali and Kalna who have joined hands to form 12 Farmers’ Producers Organizations to cater to the need of 6124 cultivators. The group is tirelessly engaged in building the capacity of the FPO members using various extension tools and has rekindled hope for them towards a better livelihood through efficient marketing of their farm produce. The average annual income of the members has raised by ₹1,5000 to 1,35,000. The rest 3 of the 15 selected for this study are women in the blocks of Galsi and Ausgram. They have made their mark as leaders by leading 238 women self-help groups (SHGs) with a total strength of2874 farm women. Apart from reaping the benefits of technology application for their farming enterprises, they are engaged in producing rural crafts and various value-added products from farm produce and selling them in different fairs. The members of the 3 SHGs led by the three women have augmented their annual family income by ₹10,500 to ₹82,000.